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Letter to the governor of NJ. (Christie)

Letter to the governor of NJ. (Christie)

Folks,
I got an email from tesla today that there's some legislative hurdles for tesla in NJ.

Join us at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
on Tuesday, March 11th at 2pm to show your support for Tesla in New Jersey.

Dear Tesla Advocates,

Tesla is under attack in New Jersey! Yesterday we received news that Governor Christie’s administration has gone back on its word to delay a proposed anti-Tesla regulation so that the matter can be handled in the legislature. Rather than stick up for New Jersey consumers, the Administration and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission are thwarting the legislature at the behest of a special interest group looking to protect its monopoly at the expense of New Jersey consumers. Instead, the Administration has decided to expedite Rule Proposal PRN 2013-138 that would curtail Tesla’s sales operations and jeopardize our existing retail licenses in the state. Tesla could be forced to shutter all operations in the state as early as this afternoon!
You can show your support by contacting the Governor or your local State Legislator, and let them know that you want Tesla to stay and grow in New Jersey!
Other ways to show support:
Please join us and other Tesla Advocates at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission’s meeting to help defeat this regulation.
What: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Meeting
When: Tuesday, March 11th at 2pm
Where: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
225 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Spread the word, and thank you for your immediate action!
Tesla Motors | 3500 Deer Creek Road | Palo Alto, CA 94304
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Here's what I quickly wrote to the governor's office.

Dear Mr. Christie
Tesla is an American company and has done everything right in thinking out of the box in changing an automobile experience.
Whether it's transparency, an honest buying experience, a better driving and ownership experience and being environmentally responsible.
I'm not sure why the state isn't embracing the company and all that it stands for.
As an owner of two electric cars, one from tesla, the other from Nissan, I have a unique experience of ownership.
I haven't had a better purchase experience. In today's age, in my opinion, car dealers aren't needed. Users can configure their cars online and go through all options. The only thing we need dealers for, is to service a car.
It will save the public tons of money by eliminating unnecessary middlemen, and enable them to spend money elsewhere. In a more meaningful place.
Please don't let anyone out hurdles for tesla. We are going through and evolution. With changing times and changing technologies, we should embrace the future.

Sincerely,
Praveer

omarsultan.ca.us |
March 11, 2014

Considering Mr Christie apparently has presidential desires, I think this is one time where we can all pile on and ask why he wants to get in the way of an American company creating American manufacturing jobs?

O

AmpedRealtor |
March 11, 2014

I agree. Make this about blocking US innovation. Make this about pandering to automotive dealers - I'm sure that will resonate in voters' minds. Make this about maintaining the status quo of rip-off auto dealerships with their "financing guys" in the dark room in the back... Make this about Christie being out of touch with reality. Also, someone should make this a constitutional issue of interfering with interstate commerce.

hamer |
March 11, 2014

Don't forget to include money with your letter

J.T. |
March 11, 2014

@hamer Aren't you the cynic! This is why I loved Mike Bloomberg. You couldn't bribe him.

hamer |
March 11, 2014

@jt: I? Cynical?

Brian H |
March 11, 2014

Palaveer;
As often happens, you stumbled just before the finish line: "anyone out hurdles [??] for tesla [Tesla]. We are going through and [an] evolution".

Proofing reduces embarrassment.

Brian H |
March 11, 2014

Like mistyping names. Praveer. (In my defense, it's the first time I've ever seen that one. ;) )

eddiemoy |
March 11, 2014

Too late, that #*%$ passed the bill to ban tesla sales!

zero2hide |
March 11, 2014

Interesting, but maybe a predictable road block using back door agreements coupled with antiquated laws that are no longer needed.

The success of Tesla will not be defined by different States of the Union - It will be defined by its unequivocal rapid adoption success in the overseas market.

This market will dwarf the US sales to a point where these silly NADA lawsuits (masquerading as consumer rights issues), will look more and more ridiculous.

jordanrichard |
March 11, 2014

Passed it without public comment/input.

tonysled |
March 11, 2014

I guess Chris Christie just sealed his presidential fate. If the Republican party puts him up for president, I certainly can't/won't vote for him.

lolachampcar |
March 11, 2014

$ and politics
pathetic
we get what we deserve

JonathanL |
March 11, 2014

I sent my email to the Governor this morning, which I assumed would fall on deaf ears, and it did. Then I went to the Springfield SC to pick up my second P85. Amazing how I was able to actually buy not one, but two Tesla's, without having a dealer around to hold my hand, act in my best interest and protect from the evil car manufacturer.

NJ politics are such a farce. The consumer always gets the shaft.

thranx |
March 11, 2014

@tonysled; his actions on issue will surely come back to haunt him if he does elect to run for nationalwide office.

"I'm Chris Christie and I want your vote! I'm against free enterprise, transparency in government, and American manufacturing."

Car t man |
March 11, 2014

And this is the next US president... Bush wasn't enough.

SD Supercharger |
March 11, 2014

If all goes right, Tesla will sue NJ. Tesla will lose, appeal it all the way to the fed appeals court, at which point federal trade and interstate commerce laws will prevail, overturning decisions in all 3 states that exclude dealerships. Christie will go down in history as the initiator of the downfall of the Car Dealership model--well done governor Christie and thanks from all of us that support free enterprise
and capitalism.

lolachampcar |
March 11, 2014

Car t,
One party spent over $1B while the other just under $1B in the last presidential race. It was all spent for a job that pays less than $500K a year for four years. Bush, Obama, CC, it does not matter. When there is that much money at play, no one is credible.

johnsarro |
March 11, 2014

After years of buying cars from a dealer and feeling I was being taken. I had the most rewarding experience buying a Tesla I hope to never go back to a dealer again.

Pettifogger.ca.us |
March 11, 2014

Trenton Fats isn't exactly the boy wonder of the national GOP any more, and being mean to a California company and to people who can pay $80-100K for a car has nothing to do with that. As for running for President, he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it.

drax7 |
March 11, 2014

Christie is figuratively a pig .

bduke |
March 11, 2014

Ahh, politics as usual. I think Christie just wants all car buyers to have equal treatment. Have you ever known someone who's had a good experience with a car dealership. Personally, my anxiety level sky rocketed each time I had to step inside a dealership. It was always a battle and they would just wear me down or try to sneak various costs into the contract or try and rip me off with the trade-in etc. Warranty: seems never to cover that which is wrong with the car. Repairs: another way to screw the customer and make money for the owner. I will NEVER set foot into a auto dealership again and will constantly praise my Tesla, the purchase and the way Tesla stands behind their product.

bduke |
March 11, 2014

Sales Tax: Anyone know which state gets the sales tax when an individual living in one state buys a Tesla in another state and picks up his product in that state? My understanding is that if you live in say, Ct. and buy something in another state the sales tax stays in that state, or is the sales tax transferred to the state where the car is registered? I am hoping the state that sells the car keeps the sales tax.

jomorale |
March 11, 2014

Sorry for Mr. Chris Christie. He just lost my vote and I’m sure thousands more if he ever runs for President.
I’m confident Tesla will win in N.J in the long run, because the more states or interest groups try to stop Tesla’s direct sales model the more demand this will create. It’s just going to be inconvenient for N.J customers.
We all know that If people want any product for any reason, consumes will find a way to buy it. N/J just going to miss all the sales tax dollars.

michael1800 |
March 11, 2014

Either system can be abused in all honesty. However, the requirement to have an on-site service center is funny. Dealerships abused service center pricing so much we had to legislate to bring it under control and require manufacturers to honor warranties so owners could get reasonable prices elsewhere (without voiding the warranty). All of the unexplained delays for Tesla's applications are inexcusable, unexplained and completely typical for that administration...I guess it was just a staffer again.

Philip2 |
March 11, 2014

What is odd is that the number one car in Norway is an American made car. Yet American rules and regulations make it difficult to purchase said car in the USA.

Nuts4MS |
March 11, 2014

Pretty much lost my vote if he runs for president...

jeffsstuff |
March 11, 2014

To those saying that Chris Christie has presidential aspirations, as far as I'm concerned, those evaporated with the last round of scandals. He doesn't stand a chance. There's no way he'll get the nomination after all that. And I'm sure that is just the tip of the iceberg.

Thomas N. |
March 11, 2014

That's right Jeff. He was done with the bridge fiasco. Either he was so clueless that this all happened without his knowledge and he is therefore unfit for office or he lied and purposely put people in jeopardy and passed the blame onto his staff. Either way, his political goose is cooked.

Xfrank |
March 11, 2014

let us fight like real "MUSKeteers"!
one for all, and all for one.

hsadler |
March 11, 2014

Sorry
If Christie is anything like a seasoned politician, he will suddenly be a champion of Tesla when things turn. And the latest traffic scandal? Long forgotten in 2 years.

Remember 'Side step' from "Best Little Whorehouse" ?

AlMc |
March 11, 2014

My letter: Governor Christie (and NADA friends), Thank you for all the free publicity you just gave Tesla. TM will continue to not have to spend a dime on advertising if Texas, Arizona and now New Jersey politicians and their auto dealership friends continue to try to block an innovative and 'green' American company from selling the Consumer Reports highest scoring car ever in your state(s).
Since TM is currently supply constrained we will turn our attention to helping the US with it's trade deficit and sell our cars abroad instead of shipping our jobs there.
Please keep up the fight for at least another year or so, invite some other friends in other states to join in. This will undeniably result in rising demand for our cars in your state and prompt the federal government/courts to take up our cause (and pay for it) while we get our Gigafactory built so we can meet all this pent up demand.
Please accept our condolences for all the letters you receive from your less than happy constituents who will be forced to circumvent your archaic laws/rules and obtain a car in another state or who will be subject to continue the 'wonderful' experience of sitting in a dealership showroom. At least the will get a free cup of three day old coffee for their trouble.

Sincerely, A former supporter who votes in every election

amitb00 |
March 12, 2014

Friends, what is logic and arguement against Tesla? I want to understand what these politicians are saying.
Cheers, Amit

Michael_Bluth |
March 12, 2014

The argument is that Tesla is taking money away from political supporters and NJ politicians who have financial interests in car dealerships. Looking at history, someone could argue that nearly every regulatory law that is passed is to financially benefit a serving politician, party boss, family, or supporter. NJ is known as the most corrupt political states in the country. No one is immune. 5-7 years ago, it looked like Christie was different, prosecuting a lot of crooked politicians as the US Attorney. Maybe he isn't so different after all. If Bob Ingle or Sandy McClure writes about it in the newspapers, they would be able to shed light on what is really going on. Of course, to be thorough, their article, if any, may not go to press for a few days/weeks. The Soprano State - it fits.

Qwiksilver |
March 12, 2014

I am disappointed in Christie. I voted him in, but if he moves forward on this, he will lose our votes going forward.
Christie's decision to thwart Elon's innovation on two fronts, engineering and sales model, is appalling.
He's clearly been bought by the Dealer's Association and/or Big Oil.
Maybe he deserves a role in "House of Cards"?

wmg |
March 12, 2014

So exactly how many Teslas have been sold in New Jersey in 2013 until now that have the auto dealers up in arms? Couple hundred?

rbgliny |
March 12, 2014

Not surprised that Christie voted against the free market and progress. The power of special interests and campaign funding runs rampant in this country. Not a Presidential decision to limit free enterprise and jobs in my opinion. (&!3:/ disgusting!!

wmg |
March 12, 2014

500 Teslas sold per CNBC.

ccbldg |
March 12, 2014

Boy, we could sure use a reply from the White House on that 100,000+ signature petition right about now!

AmpedRealtor |
March 12, 2014

Musk needs to make the talk show rounds and hold a press conference at one of his stores in New Jersey surrounded by hundreds of Tesla supporters. He should directly confront Christie and the vehicle commission over this issue, and announce during that press conference that Tesla is suing the state and is prepared to go all the way to the federal courts in order to get a judgment in his favor. He should label Christie as anti free enterprise, and especially against American success stories.

If some form of the above happens, Christie's presidential aspirations would be toast. I would thank Musk for saving our country from suffering through another useless presidential candidate.

thranx |
March 12, 2014

@par3duke: I believe ZEV's in NJ are exempt from state sales and usage tax.

@wmg: 500 Teslas sold vs. 490,000 cars total (I presume for last year).

thranx |
March 12, 2014

@Phillip; what is odd is that you can buy an American car in China more freely than you can in certain American states.

I'm writing to voice my opinion regarding the decision to ban direct sales of Tesla vehicles in your state. With all due respect, I believe you are making a huge mistake with your opposition to Tesla Motors.

Nobody who believes in free markets could support this type of restriction any more than they could support a ban of, for example, Apple selling iPhones directly to the consumer.

I urge you to support free enterprise by finding a way to permit Tesla Motors to do business in New Jersey. I assure you that in the long term America, New Jersey and you will benefit.

Please do the right thing and let your own words be your guide: “We need to talk about the fact that we’re for a free-market society that allows your effort and your ingenuity to determine your success, not the cold, hard hand of government determining winners and losers.”

Best regards,

Gadfly |
March 12, 2014

It may not be that big of deal. We have the same situation here in Arizona, where the franchised ICE dealers have successfully blocked Tesla from selling directly here in state. But they still have company-owned stores here where the car can be test driven [by appointment, which must be made on-line as well], is on display, and highly trained and knowledgeable staff answer questions. They are just not allowed to talk about sales, prices, or financing. So you just buy the car online, like a Mac computer, checking the options you want. The car is delivered to you at a local Tesla service Center. The whole process is actually much more pleasant than dealing with a dealership.